ForTheLoveOfSilkies
Free Ranging
Currently I have 18 chickens.. All Silkies.
I need ideas for enclosing my coops within a larger coop preparing for Winter (it's Summer here in Australia now). Temps here can be freezing, frost and possible snow. Can be -2 degrees celsius and sometimes not above 10 degrees during the day. Summer can be up to 30 some days, although mostly in the 20s. (although today only 16!)
I have gone from 1 small coop to 2 small coops to 3 coops to now 1 coop plus 2 coops within a large sheltered sort of coop - that I need to covert to 1 large coop/ shelter.
Ok, pics.. Coop on right is the First coop I started with, left is 2nd coop built a few weeks later when we bought more chickens... The enclosed wire fence run area was already at the house..
Next, bought a greenhouse and enclosed the larger of the 2 coops for Winter. A few chickens died so 1 coop was big enough for all.. Started growing grass and added pop door for access to outside grass forage time.. Realised greenhouse got way too hot and it blew down in wild rainy weather anyway.. No good.
Next, moved back the small coop and picked up a free rooster to satisfy the hens longing to raise chicks.. And I was inclined to accept having cute little fluffies running around
Then wanted to build a cheap pallet shelter since the greenhouse blew down and the tarps and ropes were not working in any sort of wind.. The design I saw online to base mine on was..
So, I ended up moving 2 coops into the new shelter and then built a 3rd coop to house the broodies and chicks .
Alright now, a few additions and subtractions later, I ended up having a cockerel and 2 pullets in 1 large coop fenced off and used some tarps and reused timber pieces for extra weather protection on the shelter.. Then added a screen door from our house for better security.
.. So Now I have this coop setup I need to make completely rain, weather, Winter proof and need to add roosts somehow design it so it can be a huge coop. But the 2 coops inside are staying there. So any ideas?
Size is about 3.5 x 3.5 metres.
See pics, rain comes through sides but I have 1 (right side) tarp awning style at the moment so open all the time but protected from rain. 2 front silver tarps I roll up for more ventilation /rain protection.
I am thinking to staple tarps over 2 other sides to completely cover up.
How to I design inside so I can have at least 20 chickens comfortable? The smaller coop currently has a broody on eggs but can be used for roosting in Winter.
They have access to forage outside the the enclosed run under the trees.
I had a veggie garden attempt but the chickens got in and ate the seeds so I have left them to fertilise it, so now they have access to whole enclosed run.
Thanks for any suggestions!! If you need more pics let me know!
I need ideas for enclosing my coops within a larger coop preparing for Winter (it's Summer here in Australia now). Temps here can be freezing, frost and possible snow. Can be -2 degrees celsius and sometimes not above 10 degrees during the day. Summer can be up to 30 some days, although mostly in the 20s. (although today only 16!)
I have gone from 1 small coop to 2 small coops to 3 coops to now 1 coop plus 2 coops within a large sheltered sort of coop - that I need to covert to 1 large coop/ shelter.
Ok, pics.. Coop on right is the First coop I started with, left is 2nd coop built a few weeks later when we bought more chickens... The enclosed wire fence run area was already at the house..
Next, bought a greenhouse and enclosed the larger of the 2 coops for Winter. A few chickens died so 1 coop was big enough for all.. Started growing grass and added pop door for access to outside grass forage time.. Realised greenhouse got way too hot and it blew down in wild rainy weather anyway.. No good.
Next, moved back the small coop and picked up a free rooster to satisfy the hens longing to raise chicks.. And I was inclined to accept having cute little fluffies running around
Then wanted to build a cheap pallet shelter since the greenhouse blew down and the tarps and ropes were not working in any sort of wind.. The design I saw online to base mine on was..
So, I ended up moving 2 coops into the new shelter and then built a 3rd coop to house the broodies and chicks .
Alright now, a few additions and subtractions later, I ended up having a cockerel and 2 pullets in 1 large coop fenced off and used some tarps and reused timber pieces for extra weather protection on the shelter.. Then added a screen door from our house for better security.
.. So Now I have this coop setup I need to make completely rain, weather, Winter proof and need to add roosts somehow design it so it can be a huge coop. But the 2 coops inside are staying there. So any ideas?
Size is about 3.5 x 3.5 metres.
See pics, rain comes through sides but I have 1 (right side) tarp awning style at the moment so open all the time but protected from rain. 2 front silver tarps I roll up for more ventilation /rain protection.
I am thinking to staple tarps over 2 other sides to completely cover up.
How to I design inside so I can have at least 20 chickens comfortable? The smaller coop currently has a broody on eggs but can be used for roosting in Winter.
They have access to forage outside the the enclosed run under the trees.
I had a veggie garden attempt but the chickens got in and ate the seeds so I have left them to fertilise it, so now they have access to whole enclosed run.
Thanks for any suggestions!! If you need more pics let me know!